MLB trade rumors 2012: Boston Red Sox interested in Justin Masterson

(AP Photo/Tony Dejak)Cleveland Indians' Justin Masterson pitches in the first inning of a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles, Monday, July 23, 2012, in Cleveland.

The Cleveland Indians have reportedly alerted teams they are willing to trade starting pitcher Justin Masterson, and the Boston Red Sox are rumored to be interested.

Danny Knobler of CBS Sports reports that the Red Sox had a scout in attendance during Masterson's outing Saturday night in Minnesota. The 27-year old right-hander struggled to his worst start of the season, allowing 10 runs (eight earned) over 5 2/3 innings, but has been a reliable innings-eater for the past two seasons.

Masterson began his major league career in Boston, but was dealt to Cleveland in 2009 as part of the Victor Martinez trade. He is 35-47 with a 4.02 ERA over five seasons in the majors. His best campaign came last year, when he went 12-10 with a 3.21 ERA over 34 appearances and 216.0 innings.

The Red Sox are reportedly looking to "dump" Josh Beckett. If they manage to do so, a hole will be left in the rotation. As an end-of-the-rotation starter who can pitch a lot of innings, Masterson might make sense.